Hair removal apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A hair removal apparatus and method is presented. The hair removal apparatus can have a pair of tension units and at least one hair removal line. In one aspect, each of the tension units can have a first arm and a second arm that is moveable in relation to the first arm such that the distance between the distal ends of the two arms can be changed with respect to one another. In one aspect of the hair removal method, the line is configured to form an “X,” with the center of the “X” being the twist point. The hair is removed by moving the twist point past the target hair, catching the target hair in a portion of the twist point, removing it from the skin.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Presented herein is a hair removal apparatus and method. In particular,a hair removal apparatus and method for personal grooming is presented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The personal grooming market is a large segment of the American economy.Women, in particular, spend millions of dollars each year nation-wide tolook beautiful. Hair removal on the legs and eyebrows is very populararound the world and many apparatuses and procedures have been developedtherefore.

Currently, waxing and tweezing of eyebrows are the predominant methodsof hair removal. However, eyebrow threading is becoming more popular.Eyebrow threading originally began in China, although the technique haspopulated to South East Asia, India and most recently, California. WhileChina has been known for this popular threading technique, it wasn'tuntil India introduced it to the United States that it took hold.

Eyebrow Threading allows you to shape the brow by removing hair by thefollicle while leaving behind a clean line. The threading involvestwisting a piece of cotton thread and rolling it along the surface ofthe skin to pick up a single line of hairs, which are then lifted outfrom the follicle. The threading is generally done by starting at thecenter area of the brows and then working towards the top and bottom ofthe brow. The results typically last 2-3 weeks, but after repeatedthreading they can last anywhere from 4-6 weeks.

Threading is less painful than tweezing, lasts longer and won't leaveskin irritated, unlike waxing. Eyebrow threading is only best however,for those who have a lot of eyebrow hair or a unibrow that they want toremove without the bother of a time consuming method like tweezing. And,the great thing about eyebrow threading is that it isn't just for theeyebrows. Threading can be done on other parts of the face or body wherehair is unwanted. You can have this technique done on places like theupper lip or even your legs, which has been favored by women incountries like Korea and Vietnam.

Unfortunately, eyebrow threading is not as easy as it sounds and it'sgenerally best left to a professional. Trying this technique at home canresult in uneven brows or hair breakage if you're not familiar with thesteps used.

SUMMARY

Presented herein is a hair removal apparatus and method. The hairremoval apparatus comprises a pair of tension units and at least onehair removal line.

In one aspect, each of the tension units comprises a first arm and asecond arm that is moveable in relation to the first arm such that thedistance between the distal ends of the two arms can be changed withrespect to one another. In a first position the distal ends of the twoarms are substantially adjacent one another, and in a second position,the distal ends of the two arms are spaced apart.

The hair removal line can be configured in a complete loop, or inanother example, the hair removal line can be two discrete lines, eachconnected at one end to respective distal ends of the two arms of onetension unit, and to respective distal ends of the two arms of a secondtension unit.

Also presented is a method of using the hair removal apparatus. In oneaspect, the line is threaded through the apertures on the distal endsand joined together to form the loop. In one aspect, a free end of thehair removal line is knotted with another portion of the hair removalline. The next step is forming a twist point with the hair removal lineby twisting one or both of the tension units about the centerline of thetension unit(s). The result of this step is that the line substantiallyforms an “X,” with the center of the “X” being the twist point.

The next step comprises the step of pulling the hair removal line taughtand moving the twist point to one side of the center between the tensionunits by opening proximal ends of the first tension unit, causing thedistal ends of the first tension unit to be in the first position. Atthis point, the hair removal line can be place in contact with the skin,putting the target hair adjacent the twist point and between the twistpoint and the second tension unit.

The hair is removed by moving the twist point past the target hair,catching the target hair in a portion of the twist point, removing itfrom the skin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the inventionand together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the hair removalapparatus and the first step of the hair removal method, showing thedistal ends of the arms of the tension units in the second position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one aspect of a step of the hairremoval method of FIG. 1, showing the formation of a twist point;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one aspect of a step of the hairremoval method of FIG. 1, showing the hair removal line being pulledtaught and substantially forming an “X”;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of one aspect of a step of the hairremoval method of FIG. 1, showing the twist point to one side of thecenter between the tension units by opening proximal ends of the firsttension unit, causing the distal ends of the first tension unit to be inthe first position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one aspect of a step of the hairremoval method of FIG. 1, showing the step of moving the twist pointpast the target hair and removing it;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the hair removalapparatus, illustrating a hair removal line holder being utilized inlieu of the second tension unit;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the hair removalapparatus having a coil as a bias element;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the hair removalapparatus having substantially linear arms; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the hair removalapparatus having a bias element between the two arms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexemplary aspects that are intended as illustrative only since numerousmodifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilledin the art. The exemplary aspects are now described with reference tothe figures, in which like reference characters indicate like partsthroughout the several views.

Before the present articles, compositions, devices, and/or methods aredisclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention isnot limited to the specific articles, devices, and/or methods disclosedunless otherwise specified, as such may, of course, vary. It is also tobe understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, reference to “a thread” includes aspects having two or moresuch threads unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Presented herein is a hair removal apparatus and method for removingtarget hair from a human subject. The hair removal apparatus 10comprises a pair of tension units 100 and at least one hair removal line200.

In one aspect, each of the tension units 100 comprises a first arm 110and a second arm 120 that is moveable in relation to the first arm 110such that the distance between the distal ends 115 of the two arms canbe changed with respect to one another. In a first position the distalends 115 of the two arms are substantially adjacent one another, and ina second position, the distal ends of the two arms are spaced apart. Inone aspect, the two arms are hingedly connected, such that a centerportion 130 of the two arms are connected and the arms are configured toscissor open and closed, as in FIG. 1. The tension units 100 can, forexample and not meant to be limiting, comprise metal, plastic, alloy,ceramic, or other sufficiently rigid materials known in the art.

In one example, the first arm and the second arm of the tension unit ishingedly connected at a middle portion of the respective first andsecond arms. The hinge can, for example, be substantially mid-waybetween the distal and proximal ends, or it can be more toward theeither the distal or proximal ends. In another aspect, the proximal ends125 of the arms of the tension unit 100 each define a finger or thumbhole 140. The finger or thumb holes can be the same size or they can bevaried in size to accommodate a finger and a thumb, respectively, as canbe appreciated.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, in one aspect, each arm can comprise a distalend that diverges from the centerline C_(L) of the tension unit 100,where the distal end of each arm is angled with respect to the arm'slongitudinal axis L_(a). In this aspect, when the proximal ends 125 ofthe arms are adjacent one another, the distal ends 115 of the arms inthe second position; and, when the proximal ends of the arms are spacedfrom one another, the distal ends of the arms converge toward each otherto the first position.

In one example of the apparatus 10, at least one of the distal ends ofthe arms of the tension unit defines an aperture 150 through which ahair removal line 200 may be threaded. As one can appreciate, the distalends of the arms of the tension unit may also comprise hooks or otherline retention modalities.

The hair removal line 200 can be configured in a complete loop, as inFIG. 1, or in another example, the hair removal line can be two discretelines, each connected at one end to respective distal ends of the twoarms of a first tension unit 101, and to respective distal ends of thetwo arms of a second tension unit 102. In one aspect, the hair removalline can comprise cotton thread, monofilament line, wire, and the like.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one aspect of a method of using the devicedescribed herein. FIG. 1 shows a continuous hair removal line 200connected to distal ends of each of the arms of two tension units toform a complete loop. In one aspect, the line is threaded through theapertures on the distal ends and joined together to form the loop, asillustrated. In one aspect, the line is approximately 10-20 inches long,although other lengths are contemplated. In another aspect, the line isapproximately 15 inches long.

FIG. 2 shows the step of forming a twist point 210 with the hair removalline 200 by twisting one or both of the tension units about the centerline of the tension unit(s). Of course, if both tension units aretwisted, they should be twisted in an opposite direction so as to formthe requisite twist point. In one aspect, the tension unit is twisted4-20 times. In another aspect, the tension unit is twisted 7-15 times.In yet another aspect, the tension unit is twisted 10 times. FIG. 3shows the result, which is that the hair removal line substantiallyforms an “X,” with the center of the “X” being the twist point.

FIG. 4 shows the step of pulling the hair removal line taught and movingthe twist point to one side of the center between the tension units byopening proximal ends of the first tension unit, causing the distal endsof the first and second arms of the first tension unit 101 to be in thefirst position. At this point, the hair removal line can be place incontact with the skin 310, putting the target hair 300 adjacent thetwist point and between the twist point and the second tension unit.

FIG. 5 displays the step of removing the target hair 300 by closing theproximal ends of the first and second arms of the first tension unit,causing the distal ends of the first and second arms of the firsttension unit to open to the second position and the twist point to movetoward the second tension unit. As the twist point moves past the targethair, the target hair gets caught in a portion of the twist point,removing it from the skin. As can be appreciated, the twist point can bemoved in either direction by manipulating the space between the distalends of either the first or second tension unit, or both. This processcan be repeated as many time as the user wishes.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of the foregoing method by replacingthe second tension unit with a hair removal line holder 400. The hairremoval line holder comprises two substantially stationary arms 410configured to hold portions of the line. In this aspect, the firsttension unit solely moves the twist point back and forth. As can beappreciated, the distal ends 420 of each of the substantially stationaryarms can comprise apertures, hooks, or other line retention means.

In another aspect, the tension unit comprises two arms with spaceddistal ends and proximal ends that are connected. In another aspect, thetension unit comprises a bias element 160 configured to assist keepingthe two arms in the second position. Examples of this aspect, which arenot meant to be limiting, are illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9. In yetanother aspect, the tension units arms are connected such that the biaselement comprises a coil that acts like a spring, as can be seen in FIG.7.

In one example, the tension unit comprises two substantially linear armshingedly joined in a center portion, such as a common household scissor.In this aspect, the distal ends are in the first position when theproximal ends are substantially adjacent each other; and, the distalends are in the second position when the proximal ends are spaced fromeach other. This aspect is illustrated in FIG. 8.

Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in theforegoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the artthat many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come tomind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teachingpresented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It isthus understood that the invention is not limited to the specificaspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and otheraspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as wellas in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic anddescriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the describedinvention.

1. A hair removal apparatus comprising: a tension unit comprising afirst arm and a second arm connected to the first arm, the first arm andsecond arm having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal ends ofthe first and second arms are configured to move from a first position,where the distal ends of the first and second arms are substantiallyadjacent each other, to a second position, where the distal ends of thefirst and second arms are spaced from each other; at least one hairremoval line, wherein a portion of the at least one hair removal line isconnected to a portion of the distal end of the first arm and a portionof the at least one hair removal line is connected to a portion of thedistal end of the second arm, and wherein the at least one hair removalline defines a first line segment and a second line segment; and a meansfor holding at least two portions of the at least one hair removal linein a spaced relation, wherein the first line segment spans between thedistal end of the first arm and the means for holding, and the secondline segment spans between the distal end of the second arm and themeans for holding.
 2. The hair removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein themeans for holding the at least two portions of the at least one hairremoval line comprises a hair removal line holder comprising a firstfixed arm and a second fixed arm, whereby a portion of the at least onehair removal line is connected to a distal portion of the first fixedarm, and a portion of the at least one hair removal line is connected toa distal portion of the second fixed arm.
 3. The hair removal apparatusof claim 1, wherein the means for holding the at least two portions ofthe at least one hair removal line comprises a second tension unit. 4.The hair removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first arm and thesecond arm are connected at a middle portion of the respective first andsecond arms.
 5. The hair removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein theproximal end of the first arm defines a finger loop.
 6. The hair removalapparatus of claim 5, wherein the proximal end of the second arm definesa finger loop.
 7. The hair removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein thedistal end of the first arm is angled with respect to a longitudinalaxis of the first arm in a direction away from a centerline of thetension unit.
 8. The hair removal apparatus of claim 7, wherein thedistal end of the second arm is angled with respect to a longitudinalaxis of the second arm in a direction away from a centerline of thetension unit.
 9. The hair removal apparatus of claim 8, wherein theproximal end of the first arm is on a common side of the centerline ofthe tension unit as is the distal end of the first arm, and the proximalend of the second arm is on a common side of the centerline of thetension unit as the distal end of the second arm.
 10. The hair removalapparatus of claim 9, wherein movement of at least one of the proximalends of the tension unit away from the centerline of the tension unitcauses the respective distal end to move into the first position, andwherein movement of at least one of the proximal ends of the tensionunit toward the centerline of the tension unit causes the respectivedistal ends to move into the second position.
 11. The hair removalapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm areconnected substantially adjacent the proximal ends of the respectivefirst and second arms.
 12. The hair removal apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a bias element in a center portion of the tensionunit configured to bias the distal ends of the first and second armstoward the second position.
 13. The hair removal apparatus of claim 1,wherein the distal ends of the first and second arms each define anaperture through which the hair removal line is connected.
 14. A methodof removing target hair from the skin of a human subject, comprising:providing a hair removal apparatus, comprising: a tension unitcomprising a first arm and a second arm connected to the first arm, thefirst arm and second arm having proximal and distal ends, wherein thedistal ends of the first and second arms are configured to move from afirst position, where the distal ends of the first and second arms aresubstantially adjacent each other, to a second position, where thedistal ends of the first and second arms are spaced from each other; atleast one hair removal line; and a means for holding at least twoportions of the at least one hair removal line in a spaced relation;threading the hair removal line through a portion of the distal ends ofeach of the arms of the tension unit and through portions of the meansfor holding the hair removal line; joining a free end of the hairremoval line to another portion of the hair removal line tosubstantially form a loop with the hair removal line; forming a twistpoint with the hair removal line by twisting the tension unit about acenterline of the tension unit; pulling the hair removal linesubstantially taught; moving the distal ends of the first and secondarms of the tension unit into the first position; placing the twistpoint of the hair removal line in contact with a portion of skinadjacent the target hair such that the target hair is positionedsubstantially between the twist point and the means for holding the atleast two portions of the at least one hair removal line; and moving thedistal ends of the tension unit into the second position to move thetwist point past the target hair, removing it from the skin.
 15. Thehair removal method of claim 14, wherein the means for holding the atleast two portions of the at least one hair removal line comprises ahair removal line holder comprising a first fixed arm and a second fixedarm, whereby a portion of the at least one hair removal line isconnected to a distal portion of the first fixed arm, and a portion ofthe at least one hair removal line is connected to a distal portion ofthe second fixed arm.
 16. The hair removal method of claim 14, whereinthe means for holding the at least two portions of the at least one hairremoval line comprises a second tension unit.